Whip the cat
Sir — Like most women, Kamala Harris, the presidential candidate for the Democrats in the United States of America, is no stranger to misogynist comments. She was recently called ‘a childless cat lady’ by J.D. Vance, the running mate of the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Vance’s undeniable sexism aside, his comment raises another question. Why are cats singled out for ridicule by the flag-bearers of patriarchy? What about single, childless women who have pet dogs? Are they better off than their cat-owning counterparts because their canine objects of affection are perceived to be more adoring and obedient? Clearly cats are looked down upon for being independent and strong-willed — the same traits that patriarchal society cannot stand in women.
Kattayani Sen, Calcutta
Suspicious dealings
Sir — A recent report by the American short-seller, Hindenburg Research, has claimed that the chief of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Madhabi Puri-Buch, and her husband have stakes in a company owned by the Adani Group (“Sebi boss’s ‘before-stint’ denial has an Adani hole”, Aug 12). The company based in the United States of America had earlier made serious allegations of wrongdoing against Gautam Adani which are being investigated by SEBI. If Puri-Buch does have a finger in the Adani pie, the SEBI investigation would come under a cloud of suspicion. What is worrying is that Puri-Buch has admitted to having stakes in the Adani Group. Puri-Buch should be asked to step down from her post at once and the investigation must be handed over to an independent body. If the Centre does not take action in this matter, the apex court should take suo motu cognizance of this issue.
Jang Bahadur Singh, Jamshedpur
Sir — Eighteen months after it accused the Adani Group of pulling off “the largest con in corporate history”, Hindenburg Research has trained its guns on the chairperson of SEBI, Madhabi Puri-Buch, and her husband. Given Puri-Buch’s investment in the Adani Group, the investigation being conducted by SEBI, which is backed by the Supreme Court, cannot be deemed impartial. SEBI’s credibility is at stake here. The Congress has reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the scam in its entirety (“Remove the ‘watchman’, INDIA says”, Aug 12).
Pointing a finger at the dealings of Hindenburg Research does not absolve SEBI or the Adani Group of missteps and wrongdoings. Transparency is the need of the hour. There is a perception that SEBI is reluctant to complete its probe. The government needs to step in if faith in the apex economic body is to be restored.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Sir — Hindenburg Research’s charges against the SEBI boss will further undermine the already shaken trust that people have in this government’s financial dealings. The Congress has rightly demanded that a JPC investigate the scam in its entirety. The judiciary should step in and order such an inquiry.
S.S. Paul, Nadia
Sir — Madhabi Puri-Buch may claim innocence but her position as the chief of SEBI will mean that any investigation by the financial institution will not be trusted.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Free, at last
Sir — The Aam Aadmi Party leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court (“SC relief for Sisodia, rap for bail-wary courts”, Aug 10). Sisodia has been imprisoned for a long time, clearly owing to the machinations of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre. It is heartening that the apex court has reiterated its displeasure with lower courts for keeping Sisodia behind bars instead of granting him bail. Sisodia’s bail is a big win for the AAP and for democracy and will revive people’s faith in the judiciary.
Janga Bahadur Sunuwar, Jalpaiguri
Sir — The fact that it took so long for Manish Sisodia to be granted bail even though there is no substantial evidence against him reflects terribly on the functioning of the judiciary. The way in which the Sisodia case was handled reveals how Central agencies used legal loopholes to mislead the judiciary and drag out this case. It is also worrying that despite repeated directives from the Supreme Court, lower courts continue to ignore the ‘bail is the norm and jail the exception’ principle.
Kamal Laddha, Bengaluru
Sir — When the Supreme Court never fails to reiterate that bail is the rule and jail the exception, why is the former scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Umar Khalid, who was arrested in the 2020 Delhi riots case, still in jail?
Murtaza Ahmad, Calcutta
Measure swords
Sir — The recent verbal spat between the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, and a member of Parliament was disturbing to witness (“Opp, Dhankhar in bitter duel”, Aug 10). We often underestimate the importance of the chairman’s role in the Rajya Sabha in a parliamentary democracy. A good referee elevates a game.
R. Narayanan, Navi Mumbai
Sir — Both the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, and the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, have been blatantly partisan in their approach. They openly misbehave with members of the Opposition and praise the ruling alliance. This is unbecoming of the high offices they hold. Dhankhar even went to the extent of claiming to be a life-long votary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His conduct, body language and speech against the Opposition are unpalatable. It is a tragedy that the dignity of both Houses of Parliament is affected by their presiding officers.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai